President Obama announced this morning that U.S. counterterrorism activities in Yemen will not be suspended, despite the sudden resignation of the country's president and cabinet last week in the face of pressure from Iranian-backed Shiite rebels.

Some experts say the power vacuum in Yemen could pose a serious threat to U.S. national security by giving Al Qaeda more recruits and safe havens.

Former Navy SEAL Scott Taylor appeared on "Fox and Friends Weekend" this morning to explain the complicated situation in Yemen.

He noted that the U.S. has some presence in south Yemen, which is not held by the rebel group, the Houthis.

Unfortunately, Taylor said, most Al Qaeda terrorists are in the north of the country, so we are hindered in our intelligence and counterterrorism operations.

"The Houthis are a domestic operation in Yemen," Taylor explained. "They're not interested in attacking Western targets, either internally in Yemen or outside of Yemen."

"However, Al Qaeda, as we know, is transnational. They are attacking, they have attacked, they're planning to attack Western interests inside and outside of Yemen," Taylor said.

"The problem is there are many Sunni tribesmen within Yemen that will not accept rule by the Shia Houthis, so you will see Al Qaeda's ranks swell because you're going to have Sunni tribesmen who will join in the fight against the Houthis there. And that's not good for the United States."

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